The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking for their first win and the news and trade rumors are ramping up.
Check out the latest buzz below.
Latest on Kobe Trade Rumors
The speculation about Kobe Bryant being traded to the New York Knicks started with basically no evidence other than the Lakers haven’t won a game yet.
But the speculation prompted a statement from Bryant, who denied that he wants to be traded.
“I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career. But that’s not what I do. I’m extremely loyal to the Lakers,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports.
“I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times. It’s my responsibility to get us to be the best that we can be. It’s important that we approach that on a day-to-day basis.”
One unnamed Eastern Conference general manager told the New York Daily News that he doesn’t see it happening. “The only way this happens is if Kobe goes to the Lakers and asked to be traded,” the executive said.
“A trade with the Knicks makes sense on a few levels. It’s a big market, [Carmelo] Anthony is a close friend and [new coach Derek] Fisher is a trusted former teammate,” the News added.
“And if you think [Phil] Jackson’s ego is big now, imagine if he pulls this one off. Even if the Knicks acquire Bryant, they would still be in a position to make a run at Kevin Durant, who becomes a free agent in July of 2016.”
There’s also speculation that the Lakers are trying to tank because they owe the Phoenix Suns their first round draft pick next year unless its in the top five, which means they'd have to have a pretty bad record.
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